Edward John Peers (31 December 1886 – 20 September 1935) was a Wales international football goalkeeper. He won 12 caps for Wales and spent 1911 to 1921 at Wolverhampton Wanderers and then from January 1922 to May 1923 at Port Vale.

Career

Peers played for Oswestry St. Clair's, Chirk, Connah's Quay Juniors, Connah's Quay Victoria, Connah's Quay & Shotton United and Hednesford Town, before advancing to the Football League with Wolverhampton Wanderers in April 1911. They finished fifth in the Second Division in 1911–12, tenth in 1912–13, ninth in 1913–14, and fourth in 1914–15. He had a trial at Shrewsbury Town and guested for Walsall and Stoke City during World War I. He played 31 games for the "Potters" in 1917–18 and made 28 appearances at the Victoria Ground in 1918–19. He returned to Molineux, and helped "Wolves" to finish 19th in 1919–20 and 1920–21. Peers spent six months at Hednesford Town before he joined Port Vale in January 1922 and became the club's first-choice goalkeeper with Walter Smith out injured. He was the first Vale player to be capped whilst at the club. He was so confident in his defenders that he spent a lot of his time casually leaning on one of his goalposts. He played 15 Second Division games in the 1921–22 season, and oversaw a club record seven consecutive league games. He made 43 appearances in the 1922–23 campaign, with Daniel Smith deputizing in one match. He retired from league football at the Old Recreation Ground in May 1923 and returned to Hednesford Town for a three-year spell. He went on to run the New Inn and several other pubs in the Wolverhampton area.

Career statistics

Club statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Wolverhampton Wanderers1911–12Second Division11000110
1912–13Second Division38020400
1913–14Second Division36030390
1914–15Second Division38020400
1919–20Second Division30030330
1920–21Second Division33020350
Total18601201980
Port Vale1921–22Second Division15010160
1922–23Second Division41010420
Total56020580
Career total24201402560

International statistics

Wales
YearAppsGoals
191430
192020
192130
192230
192310
Total120

Honours

Port Vale

  • North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup: 1922